Ukraine and U.S. Negotiate 30-Day Ceasefire with Russia’s Response Crucial
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have agreed to pursue a 30-day ceasefire, with the responsibility for acceptance resting with Russia. Ukrainian officials stress the need for American security guarantees for a lasting peace. Ongoing military confrontations highlight the challenges in reaching a definitive resolution amidst ongoing talks.
Negotiators from the United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement for a full 30-day pause in hostilities, positioning the future of a ceasefire in the hands of Russia, according to a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Andriy Yermak stated this following successful discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where both delegations expressed their commitment to using this pause as a basis for comprehensive peace negotiations aimed at concluding Russia’s ongoing three-year invasion.
Yermak conveyed via Telegram that Ukraine is prepared to accept a 30-day ceasefire contingent upon Russia’s agreement, seeing it as a vital preliminary step to establish real security guarantees and outline the terms of a peace agreement. He emphasized that the decision rests with Moscow, declaring, “the whole world will see who really wants to end the war and who is simply playing for time.”
The changing dynamics under U.S. leadership have led to challenges for Ukraine, particularly with the return of President Donald Trump, who has expressed views aligning more closely with Russian perspectives. His administration’s recent freeze on military aid to Ukraine was reportedly addressed during talks in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. officials indicated that support would resume.
Kyiv has consistently sought to demonstrate its commitment to peace while asserting that any agreement necessitates robust American security assurances to prevent future aggression from Russia. Following the talks, Zelenskyy reiterated his focus on the ceasefire, welcoming the proposal and urging that “the United States of America needs to convince Russia to do so.”
President Trump indicated optimism regarding further discussions, remarking on the urgency of establishing a ceasefire to avert further loss of life. He noted, “If we can get Russia to do it, that’ll be great. If we cannot, we just keep going on and people are going to get killed.”
In a broader context, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for concerted international efforts to achieve lasting peace, stating, “the ball is now in the Russian court.” Key diplomatic engagements, including visits to Moscow by U.S. envoys, reflect a commitment to facilitating dialogue despite ongoing hostilities.
Despite the backdrop of talks aimed at securing peace, significant military confrontations persist, particularly near Russia’s western Kursk region. Both Ukraine and Russia have reported drone activity across their borders, highlighting the fragile situation despite diplomatic efforts to raise hope for a ceasefire.
In summary, recent negotiations in Saudi Arabia have opened potential pathways for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, contingent upon Moscow’s agreement. Ukrainian officials emphasize the importance of U.S. support for any peace initiatives. While dialogue progresses, ongoing military confrontations illustrate the complex realities on the ground, necessitating continued international attention and efforts to secure a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
